Airport tree trimming sparks residents' ire

By Staff Writer

A Summerville couple is up in the air about the city trimming a tree in the approach zone of a runway at Daniel Field, but airport Manager Buster Boshears said it's the law.

Durelle and Pat Green, who live next door to the towering twin oak on Ross Snellings property at Highland and Raymond avenues, said they want airport officials to elevate or change the flight path instead of trimming the tree.

"My summary is that they can't put the flight path through the top of our trees," Mrs. Green said. "This particular tree is not the point, but if the tree has to be trimmed because it's in the flight path, the flight path needs to be moved."

Mr. Green said the tree trimming brings into question how air operations are conducted at the airport.

"I want them to go above this tree," Mr. Green said.

Mr. Boshears said the tree trimming is mandated by city code and a zoning ordinance and has been going on for 30 years or more.

"It's a safety issue, both for people that use the airport and for people on the ground, for homeowners or pedestrians along that road," he said.